Athens group raises money to put solar panels on Nigerian orphanage

Sunday

Mar 13, 2016 at 8:51 PM

Last year, the New Covenant Worship Center raised money to install a solar power system at an orphanage in Eku, Nigeria, and in January, a mission team from the church traveled to the site and installed the system.

With the cooperation of Alternative Energy Southeast, a solar company that is active in the Athens area through the Solarize Athens program, the church was able to provide consistent and sustainable electricity to the Shepherd's Care Orphanage and Bender School. A 20-kilowatt solar array was installed with a 96 battery backup, which alleviates the orphanage's and the school's dependence on the unreliable power grid in Nigeria.

As a side note, two young girls raised more than $1,000 to purchase 32 ceiling fans, which were also installed in the school's classrooms.

As a result of their work, the orphanage can now use refrigeration to store food supplies for the more than 30 resident orphans living at the facility. The school now has dependable energy, which means administrators can now make plans for new educational opportunities like computer labs, satellite internet access and a music school, which the church plans to help develop in the near future.

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